Eney
beta exclusive

Meet Eney, a local-first AI assistant for busywork

Learn More
SideNotes

SideNotes

Notes on the side of your screen

  • Mac


  • Version 1.5.2


  • macOS 13 or later


  • 22.9 MB


  • 1 languages

SideNotes is a sidebar app that covers one side of your Mac’s screen with notes. Text, code, or images — SideNotes can handle it all, so that you keep important content close at hand. For convenience, bring notes into custom folders, color code, and add check boxes for tasks. It’s one shelf for everything that really matters.

  • Keep notes visible on your screen

  • Study faster with notes on the side

  • Quickly save anything from the web

  • Jot down notes and tasks on the fly

SideNotes features


Notes that don’t distract you

Whether it’s a blog post, a piece of code, or recently downloaded images, SideNotes can keep all of that on your desktop. The best part is you won’t even notice it’s there. The app acts as an overlay menu — bringing notes to your notice whenever you need them.


Robust display options

Remember, it won’t distract you. This is why you get to choose when and on what side of your screen the app should appear. Go to Preferences and choose one of two desktop arrangements — Left or Right. You can also choose how to hide/show SideNotes using keyboard shortcuts or clicking.


Code-friendly interface

SideNotes supports monospaced font for code. Same width for every character — so that you don’t have to go anywhere and convert your fonts. Copy a piece of code and paste it into the SideNotes window as you go. For better organization, you can use a specific color for your code notes.


Markdown formatting support

When creating a new note, you can choose the mode you need — code, plain text, or standard (markdown). The latter unlocks a variety of formatting options like adding headers or making text into a quote. Anything you paste is properly styled and formatted, by default.


Your to-dos, covered

With SideNotes by your side, you’ll be completing more tasks than before. So here’s another feature you’ll need — creating and managing lists of tasks right inside your notes. If you click on the text formatting button, you’ll be able to add check boxes for your to-dos.


Share your notes

SideNotes will keep your notes confidential unless you want to share them with the world. The app supports different sharing options like Messages, Reminders, Notes, and Dropshare. You can always add some more if you want. Just hit the share button in the bottom left corner of your note.


SideNotes icon image

Ratings and reviews


SideNotes

97%

1377 ratings

  • John Sleek

    Nov 26, 2025

    App version: 1.5.2

    would love to have tags

  • Michael Sivers

    Nov 24, 2025

    App version: 1.5.2

    Simple yet well featured and very effective. Nice amount of customisation so you can set it up to fit just right. Well done!

  • Amit Kumar

    Nov 18, 2025

    App version: 1.5.2

    The ui could be more minimal. Transparent and need a editor in the notepad

See all reviews

Get hundreds of apps with Membership

Become Setapp member and use hundreds of stellar apps with one subscription.
Try 7 days free, then pay one simple fee.

  1. 1

    Install Setapp on your Mac

    Explore apps for Mac, iOS, and web. Find easy ways to solve daily tasks.

    Setapp user interface image
  2. 2

    Get the app you came for

    That one shiny app is waiting inside Setapp. Install with a click.

    Setapp user interface imageSideNotes app icon

    SideNotes

  3. 3

    Save money and energy

    The Membership helps you solve daily tasks, without overpaying for software.

    Setapp user interface image
  1. 1

    Install Setapp on your Mac

    Explore apps for Mac, iOS, and web. Find easy ways to solve daily tasks.

    Setapp user interface image
  2. 2

    Get the app you came for

    That one shiny app is waiting inside Setapp. Install with a click.

    Setapp user interface imageSideNotes app icon

    SideNotes

  3. 3

    Save money and energy

    The Membership helps you solve daily tasks, without overpaying for software.

    Setapp user interface image
One simple monthly fee. Hundreds of apps.

Why you can trust Setapp

Safe and delightful app experience is our mission. Only apps with excellent reputation and stable performance can join Setapp.

Learn more

ISO-certified company

Setapp is made by MacPaw, a trusted company with ISO 27001 certification.

Be confident apps are safe

All Setapp apps were notarized by Apple, no malware was found.

Rely on reviews and ratings

Choose apps based on honest opinions of your fellow Setappians.

SideNotes

SideNotes

Notes on the side of your screen